What We Believe

Preamble

The perfect, inerrant Word of God is the supreme authority for the faith and practice of the church; it is her sole infallible standard and the norm of all norms. Throughout the centuries many battles have been fought over the correct interpretation of Scripture, and many creeds and confessions have been written which seek to accurately summarize biblical doctrine, such as, but not limited to, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. These necessary post-apostolic statements have no authority save as they accurately teach the perfect truth of Scripture. This church accepts these creeds as normative summaries of biblical doctrine, as have a centuries-long succession of orthodox Christian churches. The authority of Scripture is ultimate and supreme; the authority of creeds and confessions is derived and dependent.

The confession included below, the New Hampshire Baptist Confession, was written in approximately 1833 as a milder, condensed summary of post-Reformation confessions, conforming to Baptist doctrine. In subscribing to this confession, this church wishes to stand with the long line of Baptists who have also held to it, thus rooting ourselves in a stream of faithful proclamation of biblical truth. The only exception to this subscription is Point 15, which we have replaced with the corresponding section of The Baptist Faith and Message (2000).

Since 1833, however, many doctrinal issues have arisen which were not addressed in the New Hampshire Baptist Confession, and which must be addressed. Therefore, Point 19 has been added to the historic text in order to show where this church stands on such matters as the six-day creation and the Bible version issue, to name just two.

The pastor(s) of Faith Baptist Church must hold to this confession, and all preaching and teaching in the church must be in agreement with it.

As historian Philip Schaff wrote, “The Bible is of God; the Confession is man’s answer to God’s word.” This confession is our historic, corporate answer to Scripture.

1. Of the Scriptures. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction;1 that it has God for its author, salvation for its end,2 and truth without any mixture of error for its matter;3 that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us;4 and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union,5 and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.6

2. Of the True God.We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth;7 inexpressibly glorious in holiness,8 and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love;9 that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;10 equal in every divine perfection,11 and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.12

3. Of the Fall of Man.We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker;13 but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state;14 in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners,15 not by constraint, but choice;16 being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin,17 without defense or excuse.18

4. Of the Way of Salvation.We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,19 through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God;20 who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin;21 honored the divine law by his personal obedience,22 and by his death made a full atonement for our sins;23 that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven;24 and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all- sufficient Saviour.25

5. Of Justification.We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ26 secures to such as believe in him is Justification;27 that Justification includes the pardon of sin,28 and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness;29 that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood;30 by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God;31 that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.32

6. Of the Freeness of Salvation.We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel;33 that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith;34 and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel;35 which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.36

7. Of Grace in Regeneration.We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again;37 that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind;38 that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth,39 so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel;40 and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.41

8. Of Repentance and Faith.We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God;42 whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ,43 we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy;44 at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.45

9. Of God’s Purpose of Grace.We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners;46 that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end;47 that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable;48 that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy;49 that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree;50 that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel;51 that it is the foundation of Christian assurance;52 and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.53

10. Of Sanctification.We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness;54 that it is a progressive work;55 that it is begun in regeneration;56 and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.57

11. Of the Perseverance of Saints.We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end;58 that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors;59 that a special Providence watches over their welfare;60 and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.61

12. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel.We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government;62 that it is holy, just, and good;63 and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin;64 to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church.65

13. Of a Gospel Church.We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers,66 associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel;67 observing the ordinances of Christ;68 governed by his laws,69 and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word;70 that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons,71 whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

14. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer,72 into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost;73 to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life;74 that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper,75 in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ;76 preceded always by solemn self-examination.77

15. Of the Lord’s Day.The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day.78 It is a Christian institution for regular observance.79 It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead80 and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private.81 Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience82 under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.83

16. Of Civil Government.We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society;84 and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed;85 except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ86 who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.87

17. Of the Righteous and the Wicked.We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked;88 that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem;89 while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse;90 and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.91

18. Of the World to Come.We believe that the end of the world is approaching;92 that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven,93 and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution;94 that a solemn separation will then take place;95 that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy;96 and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.97

19. Present Trends in Doctrine & Practice.

CREATIONISM – A plain, literal reading of Genesis reveals the following: the days in Genesis do not correspond to geologic ages, but are six consecutive twenty-four hour days of creation;98 the genealogies of Genesis further show that the universe can only be several thousand years old.99 The origins account of evolution cannot be harmonized with Scripture, and must be rejected. Yet this does not lead to an anti-scientific stance, for demonstrable, scientific facts, correctly interpreted, can never contradict Scripture, because God’s revelation of Himself in His Word and His world never conflicts.100

NEO-EVANGELICALISM – This movement, while claiming to be fundamental in theology, has actually compromised the underlying principles of the Christian faith. It questions inspiration and literal interpretation; it accepts liberals as Christians, takes a new attitude toward the ecumenical movement, promotes ecumenical evangelism, denies both ethical and ecclesiastical separation, and over-stresses the social aspects of the Gospel.101 We hold this stand to be unscriptural.

THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT – The attempt to unite the different faiths today on the basis of the least common denominator of doctrine is a betrayal of the unity of believers based upon sound doctrine of the historic Christian faith.102 Its dialogue with other religions is dialectical. Its method of operation is subversive and shows a tendency to totalitarianism. We reject all cooperation with this movement.

THE TONGUES MOVEMENT – We believe that the gift of tongues was given as a sign to Israel and, like the gifts of apostleship and prophecy, which were for the founding of the church, is therefore not being given today.103 We believe that the current resurgence of the practice of tongues, which is not Scripturally regulated and does not fit the biblical description of true tongues, is not the Scriptural gift.104

FREEMASONRY – The fraternal order of Freemasonry (or Masonry) is a secret society whose doctrines flatly contradict the Scriptures on such vital matters as the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, and salvation by grace through faith, among others. Clearly, it is impossible for a person to believe both Masonic teaching and the Bible; therefore, it is impossible for a person to be a faithful Mason and a Bible-believing Christian.105 For this reason, no pastor or member of the church may join or be a member of a Masonic Lodge, and candidates for church membership must first renounce Freemasonry completely and permanently before being considered for church membership.

SANCTITY OF LIFE – We believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all human life; therefore, all mankind has purpose; that God has made us in His image; therefore, all mankind has intrinsic value; that God is the Sovereign Lord of life; therefore, all mankind has the inherent right of life from conception to natural death.106 We believe therefore that abortion, murder, suicide, and euthanasia are sinful.107

COMPLEMENTARIANISM – Regarding God’s design for men and women, we believe that complementarianism and not egalitarianism reflects the teaching of Scripture, as accurately expressed in the Danvers Statement (http://cbmw.org/core-beliefs/). Male and female were created by God as equal in dignity, value, essence and human nature, but also distinct in role whereby the husband was given the responsibility of loving authority over the wife, and the wife was to offer willing, glad-hearted and submissive assistance to the husband.108 God’s design has not changed, and the relationships between husbands and wives in marriage should reflect this. In marriage, the man bears the primary responsibility to lead the partnership in a God-glorifying direction, and is to love his wife as Christ loves the church; the primary responsibility of the wife is to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ. The New Testament also makes it clear that in the church, God intends for men to take the role of leadership and authority, and that women are not to exercise authoritative roles of teaching in the Church in view of Eve’s created relation to Adam.109 Thus Christian men and women should endeavor to express their common humanity according to God’s originally created and good hierarchical design.

MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY – Based on the teachings of the Scriptures, marriage is an institution ordained by God from the creation of the world and intended as a lifelong union of one man and one woman.110 The Bible condemns all forms of sexual immorality.111 Based on the authority of the Bible and in keeping with the Fundamental Freedom clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Faith Baptist Church has always practiced, and continues to practice, a view of marriage in keeping with these beliefs. Therefore, in order to maintain a consistent Christian witness, the church cannot sanction, approve or promote in any way sexual activities outside of the above definition of marriage, including but not limited to adultery, fornication, pornography, pedophilia, polygamy, bestiality or homosexual unions. Further, because a person’s gender is established at conception, the church cannot sanction the marriage of any person classified as being of another gender than the one he or she had at birth. Though striving to live peaceably with all people and to obey legitimate government authority, we must ultimately obey God rather than man if the two come into conflict.112 As a result, it is our policy that the facilities of this church may not be used for any ceremony that in any way approves of, solemnizes, supports or allows any union which is inconsistent with these beliefs.

Therefore, no pastor or member of the church shall officiate, or allow others to officiate, at any ceremony designed to approve of, solemnize, support or allow any union which is inconsistent with these beliefs. Nor may any member of the church enter into such a union without being subject to church discipline.

DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE – There is much disagreement among Bible-believing Christians regarding the issue of divorce and remarriage; some condemn all divorce and remarriage while others allow it under certain circumstances. The Bible does clearly forbid divorce and remarriage for at least certain situations.113 In the interests of equality and peace, only those who have not previously been married or whose spouse is deceased may have their marriage solemnized by a pastor of the church.

BIBLE VERSIONS – Because the Byzantine Text is a superior Greek text family to the Alexandrian or Western, reflecting most accurately the original writings, and because the Authorized Version, or King James Version, largely follows Byzantine Text readings in its translation and footnotes unlike any other modern translation, and because the Authorized Version is in many ways a superior translation to all others from any text family, it shall be the only English Bible version used in any public ministry of the church, including but not limited to preaching, teaching, and Sunday School classes.

MUSIC – The ancient triad of truth, goodness, and beauty are rooted in the character of God.114 Everything believers do should preserve and reflect these ideals.115 This includes music, that gift of God to man which is necessary for worship in the church but which is a source of much controversy. Music in the church must not reflect the godless culture of the world in its lyrics, whether immoral or banal, or in its musical style, whether immoral, self-centered, or trite. Both the music and the accompanying lyrics must rather reflect God’s truth, His goodness, and His beauty, both in doctrine and aesthetics.116 Therefore, we will seek to use music in the worship of this church that accords with these principles, and seek to reject music that does not. A fuller exposition of these truths can be found in the booklet “A Conservative Christian Declaration,” edited by Kevin T. Bauder et al.